The Capital City of Quur

The Capital City is located on the Senlay River between Khorvesh and Eamithon. This coastal city is the center of the Quur Empire which controls Eamithon, Khorvesh, Kazivar, Raenena, Jorat, Kirpis, Marakor, and Yor. It is ruled by the Emperor and Council of Voices, and economically ruled by the Royal Houses.

Physical Description
The Quur Empire is vast and stretches across the Continent of Tyga and Valla. It has conquered vast territories throughout its several hundred year history. For more information on the growth of the Empire see the history section below. The following countries are dominions of the Quur and therefore part of the Empire.

The Capital City is a coastal harbor sitting on the south side of the Senlay River where it meets the sea. It consists of a lower and upper mesa and crowned in white spiraling towers of mystical proportion. The lower mesa holds the harbor and Lower Circle, associated with commoners, crime, and debauchery. The upper circle contains the Temple district, noble houses, Royal House districts and palaces, and the seat of government."'I missed the white spiraling towers that made the City look like something from a children's god-king tale in the distance, the crush of people and the way the noonday sun reflected off the Senlay River to create a blinding brightness. I missed the stifling heat bouncing off the white stone streets with homicidal fury. I missed the scent of khilins firing bread and roasting meat and I missed the sound of vendors hawking their wares through the streets. I had been homesick for four years, but I hadn't realized it until I returned.'"The city itself is capable of holding one million in population, usually after the New Year and after the Monsoon season during high trading times. Usually during the monsoon season in autumn it holds less due to fear of floods.

Outside the City
Though technically outside the city there are several places which have great importance on the city itself.

Harbor and Lower Circle
The harbor, named Calay Harbor, is lockable by the Jade Gate though in history is rarely is closed. Surrounding the docks are several districts called quarters which each specializing in certain businesses. Velvet Town, close to the docks, is the Red-Light district, home to many brothels, taverns, and other businesses frequented by sailors. The Copper Quarter is the mercantile district, home to many of the traders and stores. The Octagon is the main slave auction house of the city and is open all hours. There are likely several other districts but these are not known.

Upper Circle
The upper circle sits atop the mesa and is accessible through the Stair of Dreams or the Praying Gate (for more information on Gates see Gate Systems). It has a massive Temple district, called the Ivory District, which each of the eight immortals having a temple as well as many god-kings and god-queens. It also contains the Citadel, a military base; the Arena, where duels occur and the emperor is chosen; and the Emperor's Palace. It also contains the Court of Gems, where each Royal House dominates a district for their relatives, economic business, and important contacts. Each Royal House's district is identified by its gem, for example D'Talus's district is called the Ruby District. Each district also contains the palace of the Royal House which can in turn be like a small city with several courts. For example the D'Lorus palace is called Dark Hall, and the D'Mon's Blue Palace has three courts.

The Quuros People
Though the Empire began as a small city state its people have several features distinct enough to be recognizable. If these are the result of direct inheritance from ancestors who lived in the city state or of common mixing with conquered territories (especially those first acquired by the Empire) it is unknown. Most Quur are described as having "olive colored skin" Their usual height is 5'6". Hair color seems to usually fall within realistic colors of dark brown and black with rarer colors being blonde and red. These often times are due to Kirpis blood mixing in the lineage.

History
Quur began as a small city state ruled by the God-King Ghuaras. The God-King was slain by Simillion who went on to become the first Emperor. The old God-King's palace became the Imperial Palace, then the Arena and Vaults. ((More Coming))

Government
The City and therefore Empire are ruled by the Emperor and Council of Voices politically, and Royal Houses economically. It is a very militaristic and imperialistic state. Governing decisions are made by the Council of Voices by vote and military command is often made by a combination of the Emperor and High General. For more information on the Council, Emperor, and High General please see their pages here:. The Royal Houses are not allowed to directly rule due to the curse placed on them at Emperor Simillion's death (for more information see History section on the Royal Houses' page). The instead each license and command a certain sector of the economy and gain wealthy and power through its regulation. For more information please see their pages here: Royal Houses of Quur.

Military
The Quur Empire's military is key to its expansion and maintenance. For more information see Quur Military.

Trade
Quur's economic success comes from its trade networks with its dominions. Interestingly, the common materials and exotics seem reversed from real world. In Quur bamboo, mahogany, and cypress are common, whereas pine and oak are considered rare and exotic. Other delicacies seem to be apples and silk."'The harbor was busy with frantic activity. Trading ships from Kazivar delivered grains and wines. The large loggers from Kirpis arrived with hardwoods and cedars. The small Khorveshan merchants off-loaded carpets, textiles, herbs, and dyes. Ships from Zherias and Doltar added their own mercantile imports and pruchased exports to the overall clamor of background noise.'"-Jorat :: A great deal of dry foods and grain

-Kazivar :: Grain and wine

-Raenenan :: Wine

-Kirpis :: Trees and metals ariala and drussian

-Yor :: (meat?, snowcones- totally)

-Khrovesh :: textiles and soldiers

Metals
The trade and manipulation of metal is one of the Quur military's most critical keys to its success. Wars have been started for the acquisition of mines of precious metals.

For more on the metals of Tyga and Valla see: Metals of Tyga and Valla

Slavery
The making, trading, and use of slaves is a cornerstone of the Quur. Though not supported throughout the entire Empire (most notably Eamithon sees a great many slaves 'disappear'), it is a common practice. In Quur slaves are a present in the life of nearly every citizen, and the Octagon, the main slave auction house in the city, operates without stop, constantly having someone on the auction block for sale. For more information on the slave culture and slave trade in Tyga and Valla see: Slavery in Tyga and Valla."''Look at them. Really look. Do you see them? Men, women, children. Some of them won't live to see the end of this journey. Others will start their lives in concubinage early and rough. They come from a dozen nations, some from villages so small they didn't know that had a 'nation.' Most of them don't speak Guarem, or any language you know. They would gladly give their would gladly give their souls to be where you are, too valuable to be thrown in a cell like rotting meat. Instead they'll die of starvation, or flux, or not have enough air to breathe during a storm. Look at them. There is no hope in their eyes....You're Quuros. This is your legacy. This is your gift to the world: ship after ship of pain, sailing the seas to sate your people's lust and cruelty and your thirst to conquer everything. Don't you dare look away from your birthright.''"

Culture
The Capital City being the seat of the Quur Empire has a distinct culture from its other domains. It centers on a patriarchal imperialistic society believing it and its practices are superior to others while simultaneous appropriating fashions, foods, religions, and other aspects of its conquered people.

Language
The common language of the Empire and official language of Quur is Guarem. For more information see: Languages of Tyga and Valla.

Clothes
Clothing and jewelry are very gender specific in the Capital City. While the Court of Gems is described as keeping up with the newest fashions, the descriptions below seem to be the common items. One of the most expensive fabrics in the Empire is silk. As such, it is a favorite material of nobles.

MEN - Standard dress in the Empire begins with usigi, or undergarments with a misha or long sleeve shirt over them. Pants are usually worn called kefs, with sandals, though duelists and horsemen often wear thigh high boots. Typically an agole is worn atop these which is scarf like garment and can worn around the shoulders or hips. If going out or requiring a hood most wear a cloak with a hood called a salli. Most men do not typically wear jewelry other than signet rings or significant necklaces.

WOMEN- For Quur women standard dress begins with ... They also wore agoles, usually scarf like around shoulders or hips. Wealthy women also wore make-up and jewelry as a sign of status.

Food
Common food in Quur seems to include fresh fare, with a bit of spice. Typical offerings are sag bread and fruit, often with sauces and condiments that are cool to the taste or have heat. One of the more common spices seems to be voracress which can be served fresh or as a sauce."'Kihrin had stolen a basket of fresh-baked sag, fruit relishes, and peppered meats meant for the serving staff. He'd suggested they come here so their father wouldn't catch them eating 'common food.''"Nobility seem to dine on more herb based foods or those with seasoning, with little spice and more greasy meats and cheeses. They also usually have wine or coffee with their meals. "'He still wasn't used to the way the nobility ate their meals: the current course, one of a half dozen, was a small piece of rare salmon in a delicate cream sauce. Kihrin didn't think it was bad, but it was very bland to his taste, and he wished the dish had come with a selection of pepper relishes or voracress sauce.'""'He looked at the food on the table for the first time. Marinated steak, first of all. The cherry tomatoes in a broth of herbs and spices, and a flaky pastry containing bits of meat and white cheese. Sag flatbread smeared with a thick paste he didn't recognize.'"This difference may have to do with the ability of wealthier classes to escape the heat, and the lower classes to need fresher food to help combat the long hot datys of summer in the Capital. "'He frowned and picked at his food: baked wheat cakes with imported apples cooked with cinnamon and fried strips of seasoned pork belly. The sight made his stomach turn. He didn't think the cakes would be so bad normally, but the temperature in the room was so hot and the pork was so greasy. He would have rather had some nice bland sag bread with fresh fruit and mint, maybe a nice glass of yogurt and rice milk. He as pretty sure he could keep something like that down, but it was commoner's fare and his father would not allow him to eat street food.'"Of course there are meals served which seem to be middle class and sound equally delicious."We have hot peppered goat with strips of fresh voracress, mutton with leado sauce wrapped and grilled in the traditional banana leaf, nakari marinated yellow fish with mango, fried bezevo root fingers, coconut rice, heart of palm, and pieces of bitter melon with chocolate."To drink most seem to enjoy their meals with tea or water, but also have on hand a wine or coffee. Wine is used a great deal and seems to be a common liquor, with many varieties and uses. Pepper beer is another alcoholic option."''And some of my Kirpis grape wine.... I mostly save it for rituals, but I've always like grape wines more than local rice or coconut wines when I'm trying to relax.' (FOOTNOTE: Citizens of Kirpis and Kazivar dominions like to insist that only wine made from grapes should be called such. The presence of the Academy in Kirpis means that generations of wizards have returned home with a taste for grape wine and the quirk of preferring it for rituals...)'"Common additives in food include nakari powder as a aphrodisiac, though it could also in excess doses or in improper mixtures be a poison. It works by speeding the heart, and is created from red dragon beetle, aconite, and mushrooms. "'Everyone knew nakari powder was made from aphrodisiacs. (FOOTNOTE: And poisons. The heart-pumping, excited state nakari powder is famous for inducing can be created through poisonous mushrooms, aconite, and the thorax of a red dragon beetle. In small quantities, these are harmless, but I would be careful to buy nakari powder from a trusted source.)'"

Sexuality & Marriage
Inside the Capital and pushed to their domains, is the norm that couples are to be heterogeneous and monogamous. Quur culture is not gender fluid, nor does the society kindly tolerate outward signs of deviation from the standard norm unlike many of the other cultures. "'Maybe it was because Quur has a certain public prudishness about same-gender sexuality that clearly wasn't shared by the Black Brotherhood. Sure, some men prefer men even in Quur, but it's all very discreet. Velvet boys kept politely inside the seraglio or brothel so a patron can maintain the facade that he came for the women. No Quuros male ever publicly admitted he preferred men.'"The society is also very male dominated, as seen in its laws. Women are not allowed to inherit, own land, and dependent upon station, usually not allowed to choose their spouse. Women are also not allowed to apply for a license in magic (from the Royal House of D'Lorus), attend The Academy, or even practice magic. If found to practice magic they would be labeled a witch (though anyone practicing magic outside of a license is called such). (See Witch for more information on the term and its legal and societal use).

Although the society of Quur does not lightly tolerate public homosexuality of any kind, it still occurs. Many Velvet Town brothels keep 'Velvet Boys', so that men can frequent them without loosing the guise they are there to see women. It is the worst kept secret of the town. Several major Quur characters also do not fit into the Quur societal rules (SPOILER: most notably Galen D'Mon). So while the society does not tolerate open homosexuality it is tolerated and discussed in gossip.

Children
In the Empire, and especially in the Capital City the law dictates that children are the property of their parents until their majority. A child reaches their majority when they are age 16. While still under sixteen the law allows parents to sell their children into slavery, kill them, or punish them. "'Darzin could do anything. Darzin could kill him, maim him, sell him as a slave; all of it would be legal. Parents had absolute power over their children.'"

Religion
One of the keys to Quur's successful Empire building (besides its massive scary (coughvery immoralcough) military) is its absorption of a domain's religions. Though the Immortal Eight are at the center of the Quur's religious focus it tolerates and allows the religions of hundreds of God-Kings and other various factions. "'I assume it must be a temple. To what, or rather, to whom though? I had no idea. Even if only eight true gods exist, Quur is the land of a thousand gods. (Footnote: An exaggeration. There are at most, several hundred deities. Maybe twice that many counting dead god-kings.)'"

Trivia

 * Healing in the Capital is done by licensed healers at Blue House, usually with the aid of magic. They also sell rings which act as birth control for men and women.

__NOINDEX__